Our rights not given in-time, say disabled persons

LASHKARGAH/HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Physically challenged individuals in southern Helmand and western Herat provinces on Thursday said their rights were not delivered in-time, accusing the government of inefficiency.

Council of Disabled head for Helmand Fida Mohammad Sharafyar told a gathering marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that the rights of disabled persons and families of martyrs were given to other people.

He alleged widespread corruption was being committed in giving rights to the disabled person and families of the disabled and martyrs were not allowed to meet high government officials about their problems.

Another disabled person, Nomani, told Pajhwok Afghan News physically challenged people had been promised plots as part of a residential scheme, but nothing happened.

“If the government does not give us our rights in-time, it should provide us vocational training,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, the provincial council security committee head, Bashir Ahmad Shakir, said a number of people received government privileges in the name of disabled persons.

“Due to this injustice which is ongoing, we instead of making development are going backward.”

But Helmand Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled department director Mohammad Nadir Watanwal said some individuals were creating problems for them in the delivery of services to the disabled persons. However, he did not name anyone.

He also said the Ministry of Defence was not paying in-time scholarships for the war disabled. “I have received 75 million afghanis during the entire year while the stipends of the war disabled amount to 100 million afghanis alone.”

However, he said needed measures would be taken soon with regard to giving rights to the disabled persons. Watandar warned if problems concerning their work were not resolved, he would resign.

Local officials say so far 700,000 disabled persons and families of martyrs have been registered in Helmand.